Chapter 49

Alyson's POV

Even as some time passed, I struggled to move around Crowalt Pack's territory because there were many faces that I recognized. Everyone only knew me as Alyson, Clan Harris' goddaughter who ran the trade operations. I was still too hesitant to wander through my old neighborhood where I grew up, no matter how badly I wanted to find my mother, she should not recognize me if Jennifer had not.

Michelle and I had discovered the paths to traverse on my way to Ryan's where we would be less likely to be noticed. I was glad that his mansion was on the outskirts of all the other Alexander mansions.

On one particular day, I left Michelle at home to sneak to Ryan's myself. He was not expecting me, and I knew it was risky, but I was gaining enough confidence to feel sure I could get there unnoticed. My excitement might have put some blinders on as I did not realize that someone else was about to cross my path before it was too late.

There was a road where hardly anyone ever walked, and suddenly, I saw a figure come out from the side, and walking down the opposite side right towards me.

My entire body froze in mid step. My heart stopped beating in my chest from sheer terror.

It was Jacob- his broad shoulders upright in his perfect posture. What was he doing back here alone, and how could this happen? He noticed me, and slicked back his black hair, staring straight at me.

What misfortune was this? Inside I was panicking, trying to maintain a normal heartbeat and breath, while acting casual like I had purpose to be there. Best case scenario, we pass each other without interaction. Worst case scenario, he could discover who I really was. I was afraid of him most as a talented Alexander.

I averted my gaze as I tried to walk past him, hoping that he had his own reason to be in this rather isolated road and he would ignore me.

"Have we met before?" He stopped as I tried to pass him without consequence. He had no issue staring at me, and it seemed like he didn't even need to blink.

I kept my eyes down to his feet, something appropriate when meeting an Alpha anyway. "No, I must keep going. It's urgent!" I said, trying to turn from him.

He stepped in front of me, blocking my escape. "Are you supposed to be here? Who are you?" His voice rose with suspicion.

I could ask him the same question but it was not my place. I needed to stop acting like I was guilty. My mind was spinning, but I calmed myself, drawing on my wolf for strength, and I looked him in the eye. I had a fake identity, and I needed to use it now like I had never met him before in my life.

"I'm Alyson, I'm a trade associate for Clan Harris." I said plainly. My heart pounded loudly in my ears so I wondered if he could hear it too.

'What do you want here?" He said, cold eyes narrowing as if he were trying to read me. His glare sent chills through my body.

I desperately hoped that he could not see into my past and determine who I was. My fear and anger jostled me inside. Ariana wanted to be released. We were alone here, but I calmed her. This was not our moment, yet.

I smiled as best I could to say, "I have every business here."

"You have died before," he said coolly as if he would impress me.

I hated that hungry look in his eyes as he looked up and down my body like he wanted more of me. Like he wanted to see everything- body, past, future, but he could not.

All my hairs stood on end. I decided to ask him, "What do you see of me?" It could be the only way to know for sure.

He frowned bitterly as if he expected more when he tried. "I see some darkness. I just get a sense that you died somehow. It doesn't make sense; I can't really see what happened to you."

I attempted to hide my relief.

"What are you? What do you want here from the Alexanders?" He asked.

I was wary that he could see too much even if he couldn't see it clearly like Ryan had suspected. I presumed it was some extra protection granted to me by the Moon Goddess.

I want to destroy your wife's life as she robbed me of mine, I thought, knowing that I should never admit it. I want to take you down.

"You're so mysterious," he said after I didn't answer him. He was probably not accustomed to trying to read visions of people and meeting a wall instead. "I can't even see if you have a mate. I can't smell anyone's claim on you?" He was leaning towards me in an uncomfortable way.

Instinctually, I leaned away from him while holding my ground. "What do you want, Alpha Jacob? What are you about?"

"I asked you first," he smiled charmingly as if flirting with me.

I was disgusted by him. Wasn't he married to my awful sister, and he flirted with some she-wolf he met alone on the streets? I was intriguing him, and I shouldn't do that. I needed to answer something boring and get fast out of this conversation. Drawing attention to myself here and now from Alpha Jacob was the worst outcome from this unfortunate interaction.

"I have no mate, but I have a job to do here trading with the Alexanders on behalf of Clan Harris. That is my only purpose." I said to sound as boring as possible. "So, if you'll excuse me, I'll keep to my business…"

He accepted my answer, kind of leaning a little further as if I were available prey to him. It was the one time in this life that I had wished to have a mate to deter him. How could he act like this? Did he believe he owned any she-wolf in his path? It was mortifying.

What of the Pact between Clan Clark and Clan Alexander? He'd obviously been breaking it, but he was supposed to honor my sister, who was supposed to be me, as his mate.

He touched my arm and it was like a terrible jolt ran through me. I jerked away from him, turning at the same time to face him.

He looked pleased that I'd stopped again, saying, "You leave so soon? You asked me what I want, so I should answer too."

I hid the wrist he'd touched behind my back, and politely nodded once for him to answer. "So, what do you want?"

"As the Alpha, I want to protect my people, my pack and the whole werewolf kingdom." He bragged pretentiously as if I'd buy that for one second.

Against my better judgment, I snorted, "You have no idea what protection means."

Looking taken aback, I could see his frustration rising. He had assumed I would swoon over him.

"I really must go, remember it's urgent. I'm sorry!" I turned more quickly, and proceeded away from him before he could try to prevent me a third time.

"Will I meet you again?" He called after me.

I hoped not till the moment of my revenge, but I shouted back, "You're the Alexander, you tell me." And I disappeared around the nearest corner.